As winter sets in, many women notice increased stiffness and discomfort in their knees, making daily movement more challenging. To help maintain warm flexible and pain-free joints during colder months, yoga instructor Manisha Yadav recently shared five simple and effective habits that women can include in their everyday routine.
According to her guidance, strengthening the knees can begin right from a comfortable sitting position. She recommends lifting each leg straight while seated on a chair or sofa and lowering it slowly. Practicing this movement around fifteen times on each side helps engage and activate thigh muscles, which play a major role in supporting knee stability and reducing discomfort.
For women experiencing stiffness from long hours of standing or household work, Manisha highlights the importance of gentle stretches with proper support. She advises sitting with the back supported and the legs extended while placing a cushion beneath the knees and calves. Flexing and relaxing the feet repeatedly helps encourage circulation and ease tightness during cold weather.
To improve balance and reduce pressure on the knees, she suggests activating the calf muscles using wall support. Simply raising the heels and bringing them down in slow repetitions provides warmth to the lower legs and enhances overall lower-body stability—something especially helpful in winter.
Manisha also emphasizes that ankle mobility plays a crucial role in preventing unnecessary strain on the knees. By leaning the back against a wall, placing the feet slightly forward, and lifting the front part of the feet upward before lowering them back down, women can enhance their ankle flexibility and relieve the load placed on their knee joints.
Along with these gentle exercises, she recommends adopting a soothing winter ritual—massaging the legs and knees with warm sesame oil using circular motions. Performing this practice in natural morning sunlight promotes relaxation, improves local circulation, and offers comforting warmth that counteracts winter stiffness.
Disclaimer: This content is intended for general information. Individuals experiencing chronic pain or existing medical conditions should consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalized advice.
